Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

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badpenny
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by badpenny »

If you Google it you'll find their website.
They make kits for the hand casting, tiny soldiers and then painting them brigade.

The metal ingots they sell for home casting are low melting point products and tend to wear or scratch easily, however it is very satisfying to make your own.

BP
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by pennymachines »

Prince August is the product brand name of the Toy Soldier Factory founded by a Swede in Kilnamartyra Village, Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland. They sell several low melt white metals:
PA2047: Model Metal (54% Lead / 11% Tin / 35% Bismuth). It contains bismuth which reduces the melting temperature and shrinkage. While most alloys shrink while solidyfing, Model metal does not. Melts at 138°C (280°F). Cast at 300-320°C.

PA2057: Standard Metal (65% Lead / 2% Antimony / 33% Tin). Melts at 210°C (410°F). Cast at 320-340°C.

PA2060: 5 Star Metal (94.5% Tin / 3% Zinc / 2.5% Antimony) is the safest metal as it is lead free. Melts at 230° C (446° F). Cast at 320-340°C.
Why they adopted the name of a pro-Nazi Prussian prince remains a mystery to me.
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by alan57 »

After using both the 5 star metal and the standard metal for the wonders coin slot they both had similar results.
They both, when cleaned up with a fine wet and dry paper produce an acceptable shine. The downside is, being a soft metal as BP states they do scratch easily.
I suppose a positive side is that you can always melt it down again and make another one, but I think there is maximum number of times you can do this before adding new metal.
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Wonders coin entry

Post by polaris »

Topic moved & merged - Site Admin.

Remember some time ago one of forum members cast a wonders coin entry and can't find thread anywhere so hoping by starting new post may jog someone's memory. I want to try the same thing and am looking for ideas as to materials to use. Think making the mould will be fairly straight forward as I have another to use as a template. Was thinking of trying this plumbers material but unsure as to how effective it might be.
image.png

Last edited by polaris on Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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badpenny
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Re: Wonders coin entry

Post by badpenny »

You'll have two issues using tin or other soldering materials for casting.
1- Shrinkage once cooled
2 - The end result will produce a soft product which wears quickly.

BP
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Re: Wonders coin entry

Post by polaris »

Think you could be right on both counts BP thought of that initially believing it to be harder wearing than lead and still don't need extreme temperatures to melt. sure will come up with something when get a chance to search web
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alan57
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Re: Wonders coin entry

Post by alan57 »

I made a Wonders coin slot out of Prince August, and although it's a soft metal, it still looks good today.
I posted it on the forum back in May 22, 2014.
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Re: Wonders coin entry

Post by polaris »

Thanks Alan that was the post I was referring to made it easier to find thanks

Now merged above - Site Admin.
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by polaris »

Looks perfect for the job Alan any particular silicone putty that you used ?
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by alan57 »

The putty I used was -

Siligum Gedeo Pebeo Silicone Moulding Paste, you can obtain it easily online.
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by arrgee »

Do you recall how much moulding paste you used for the coin entry Alan, I see there are a number of different quantities available.
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alan57
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by alan57 »

It was the 200g size I think.
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by polaris »

I'm still waiting on the putty arriving but I thought it would give this a try. The company reckons it's slightly harder wearing than Prince August and me being a tight a$$e thought it was better value for money. :) 500g Premium Pewter Shot / Grain White Metal for casting. Buy From THE EXPERTS eBay number 222235435821
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alan57
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by alan57 »

The Prince August, being a softer metal had a lower melting point, ideal for when you're having to melt it down on the cooker in the kitchen. A sound tip is try to do the casting when the wife isn't about, and don't use one of her best saucepans. !OMFG!.
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by gameswat »

Strange that they don't bother to mention that melting point of the pewter shot they're selling?
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by polaris »

That was one of the questions I asked, Gameswat - this was the reply:
Dear Sirs,

The melting point of pewter is around 250°C. As for being hardwaring in comparison to Prince August metal. Would you happen to know the composition of the pewter so we can advise accordingly?

Kind Regards,
British Tin
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scottie
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by scottie »

Hi
I have been reading all of this on the Prince August and making your own parts. I like the idea, and would like to give it a go.
Would it work to make a "BALL LEVER"??? or would it be too soft?
scottie
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by badpenny »

It would be possible, but might need to be made quite chunky in order to take support webs in the casting.
If you're referring to the ball release lever and it's the escapement type that due to its rocking movement allows a ratchet wheel to turn (that was clear as mud wasn't it?) then they're quite easy to make out of brass plate.

I think JC was selling them some years back.
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scottie
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by scottie »

No I was thinking of another part....
When you get the ball in the winning cup it hits the "lever", which allows you to turn the knob and get paid. I think they're just solid brass... I have one to copy, so that makes it a lot easier.
scottie
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Re: Prince August casting for Wonders coin slot

Post by badpenny »

That's the lever the ball comes to rest upon.
Like a see saw by sitting on one end it tips the other up to clear the stop.

I've never seen one for sale, but have made them in the past from "U shaped Brass lengths" This sort of thing we can get it from model shops or even some of the large national DIY chain stores.
Being U shaped it has strength.
You only have to get the length exactly right so the ball doesn't drop before it's cleared the stop.
Drill a hole to pivot it, and it's done.

BP
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